Was Calpol in 2007 really a sedative?

[DCI]

Up until 2009, you could get calpol night which had paracetamol and diphenhydramine, this is a sedative/anti-histamine.  And Paracetamol is addictive http://www.drugrehabwiki.com/wiki/Paracetamol as are a lot of things.

Calpol night didn't exist until later on in 2007! So It doesn't apply in this case.
Facts about Calpol
 
1.Calpol is a paediatric medication which is used to treat pain and fever

2.Its main ingredient is paracetemol.

3.Calpol is not a sedative and contains no sedative properties whatosever.

4.There are two strengths of Calpol
i.Calpol Baby & Child for ages up to 6 years
ii.Calpol Six Plus for children aged 6 and over.  This is available as a Fastmelt Tablet.

5.In 2007, Calpol released a new product into the market called Calpol Night.   It was used for alleviating discomfort caused by coughs and colds.  Calpol Night contained Diphenhydramine which is a type of medicine called a sedating antihistamine. It enters the brain in sufficient quantities to cause drowsiness.

6.Calpol Night was granted its license in January 2007

7.Calpol Night was released into the market in September 2007 - four months after Madeleine McCann disappeared.

8.In March 2009 , a study concluded that there was no evidence that such medicines worked for the under six age group, and that they could potentially cause side effects such as allergic reactions, effects on sleep or hallucinations.

9.Calpol Night has subsequently been discontinued in the UK.

[Mr Gray]

colombosstogey is correct in their assertion that "Any long term use of a pain killer can cause withdrawal problems" !

Angelo didn't state how many nights constitute "several nights" ! You should take your own medicine (pardon the pun) and "think and read the post" !

Angelo doesn't have to state how many is several--we both know

 its more than one 'but not many

[DCI]

You did Google it because you used the exact defn used in your beloved Oxford dictionary---exactly word for word---long term use of ANY painkiller does not cause withdrawal symptoms.. so that's you,Colombo and Joanna wrong...bit pathetic to point out typos...I'm posting from a tablet..I'm not a good typist...I have someone do that for me

I googled too, Davel, and found this link on Calpol.

http://www.medicines.org.uk/emcmobile/medicine/24159/spc#additionalInformation

[Mr Gray]

No I can assure you that I don't need a dictionary to inform me of the meaning of the word 'several' !
And it's Joanne, for the second time, I guess your much applauded and quoted 'near photographic memory' must be letting you down !
Are you seriously suggesting on a public forum that long term usage of a pain killer has no withdrawal effects if it is withdrawn ?

 This is what you stated..
Any long term use of a pain killer can cause withdrawal problems

Notice the use of the word ANY...this statement does not apply to paracetamol as it is a non opiate pain killer...and while we are talking about it...on what facts do you base this statement ...what you have read in  the daily mail perhaps

[VIXTE]

All pure speculation and fantasy!
1. Calpol is harmless
2. No proof children were even given Calpol
3. Even if the children were given Calpol, it is not meant to harm them, no proof that Calpol ever harmed any child
4. Even if Calpol did harm Madeleine, giving Calpol is nothing illegal, the parents are the doctors and would know how to deal with the 'bad effect of Calpol' issue.

Not a single theory about Calpol stands!

[colombosstogey]

you really should think and read the post before you support the ideas of angelo....angelo talks of withdrawl sypmtoms after several nights use of calpol...utter rubbish

My dear you need to get a life. No really.

I am merely purporting that it isnt the pain killing ingredients you need to worry about with Calpol its the E numbers.

Oh and long term use of pain killing drugs can lead to addiction. Jeez its common knowledge.

People pop Paracetamol/Panadol tablets into their mouths all the time for no reason really its just habit, got a pain pop a pill, thats how it happens. I worked with drug addicts my dear, and it isnt just cocaine they were addicted to you know. People even get addicted to cough mixture. So they start of with paracetamol, then move onto codeine etc and then tramadol and then they are really in trouble.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-435796/The-silent-addiction-everyday-painkillers.html

IF you read my post I actually dont see anything wrong with McCanns using Calpol. That is READ MY POSTS.

I also think people should be made aware of ingredients of things like Calpol as the E numbers are more likely to do harm to children then the drug to soothe their pain.

My friend nearly died taking a ONE tablet which had codeine and paracetamol in it. Any MEDS have the potential to be deadly even if used correctly. Also if you read ANY of the packets of paracetamol or pain killers it does state I believe only to be used short term, now why is that?

You just argue for the sake of it, not a worthy appointment and sadly hun you are now on my ignore list. I cant be bothered to waste one more drop of my precious energy with someone who is so blinded by hatred for one man that he cannot see anything else...ciao.

[Rogerandout]

This thread has really amused me. I am a dispensing pharmacist with an interest in another case on this board where I used to be very active but recently only drift through to note any changes. I have re-registered just to point out some of the incredible errors on this thread. It is typical of what can happen on the internet when people half research a subject they do not understand and use references (if any) of soubtful validity.

I really do not know where to start!

Paracetamol is not a sedative. There that will do. There may be a dictionary that defines it as such, but no pharmacist or doctor would class Paracetamol as a sedative. Simple reference to the British National Formulary would confirm this. uneducated people may call it a sedative, but no educated person would- make your choice- do you want to appear educated and admit that it is not a sedative, or appear uneducated and insist that it is!

[Cariad]

This thread has really amused me. I am a dispensing pharmacist with an interest in another case on this board where I used to be very active but recently only drift through to note any changes. I have re-registered just to point out some of the incredible errors on this thread. It is typical of what can happen on the internet when people half research a subject they do not understand and use references (if any) of soubtful validity.

I really do not know where to start!

Paracetamol is not a sedative. There that will do. There may be a dictionary that defines it as such, but no pharmacist or doctor would class Paracetamol as a sedative. Simple reference to the British National Formulary would confirm this. uneducated people may call it a sedative, but no educated person would- make your choice- do you want to appear educated and admit that it is not a sedative, or appear uneducated and insist that it is!

No one has claimed that Paracetamol causes drowsiness. We're debating the alternative meaning of the word 'sedative'. I'm not really sure why though.....

There was probably a point 11 pages ago, but if there was, I've forgotten it 

[Mr Gray]

This thread has really amused me. I am a dispensing pharmacist with an interest in another case on this board where I used to be very active but recently only drift through to note any changes. I have re-registered just to point out some of the incredible errors on this thread. It is typical of what can happen on the internet when people half research a subject they do not understand and use references (if any) of soubtful validity.

I really do not know where to start!

Paracetamol is not a sedative. There that will do. There may be a dictionary that defines it as such, but no pharmacist or doctor would class Paracetamol as a sedative. Simple reference to the British National Formulary would confirm this. uneducated people may call it a sedative, but no educated person would- make your choice- do you want to appear educated and admit that it is not a sedative, or appear uneducated and insist that it is!

the problem on the thread is that posters have agendas and do not want to admit what is true. Paracetamol could never be described as a sedative and therefore the thread is finished. paracetamol is not addictive nor does it cause withdrawal symptoms. Pats got everything wrong and is now trying to derail the thread.

[Rogerandout]

Up until 2009, you could get calpol night which had paracetamol and diphenhydramine, this is a sedative/anti-histamine.  And Paracetamol is addictive http://www.drugrehabwiki.com/wiki/Paracetamol as are a lot of things.

This is one of the worst references I have ever seen- full of errors and misunderstanding and with no professional standing. It is a US page. In the US the agreed name for what we call Paracetamol is  acetaminophen, they do not recognise the word Paracetamol.

This is the first paragraph:

"Paracetamol is a well-known and widely used medication to treat moderate to severe pain. It is also sold under the brand name Paracod and is a brand for the generic codeine. Paracetamol works by blocking the signals in the brain that create feelings of pain and is also used to treat severe cough as it can suppress the cough reflex in the central nervous system."

Let us see how wrong this is. First sentence fine, Paracetamol is used to treat pain! Second sentence ERROR Paracetamol is not spld under the Brand name Paracod. In the US that is Acetaminophen plaus codeine (codeine is an addictive opioid). The Wiki is conflating Paracetamol with Paracod- paracetamol does not suppress the cough reflex but codeine and paracetamol PLUS codeine do suppress it.

Now the second paragraph:

"Paracetamol is often prescribed when conditions call for morphine or codeine. As a painkiller, Paracetamol is known to be nearly as potent – but not quite – as morphine. When it is used to treat cough, Paracetamol is designed to deliver even stronger relief than what is possible with codeine."

First sentence total rubbish. Paracetamol is not any equivalent for the pain relief of opioids. Second sentence doubly so!

In the UK Paracetamol and Codeine is named Co-codamol and is used for pain more severe than the lowest level.

Given that I think that any reasonable person will see that the contents of that page are totally untrustworthy.

In the rest of the page I would point out the following errors:

"Paracetamol is an opiate and therefore is a Schedule II controlled substance." WRONG.

"It has a high abuse liability and while it is very similar to morphine, codeine and other opiates" WRONG

"Paracetamol triggers the brain’s pleasure centers while blocking pain. This process contributes to its ability to generate an addiction in users." WRONG

"A tolerance for Paracetamol can be quickly developed and users may require more and more of the medication to achieve the desired effect." WRONG

"Paracetamol delivers effects that are similar to that of morphine and codeine, in addition to sedation, respiratory depression and euphoria that are less intense than morphine." WRONG

"Other side effects created by Paracetamol include, shallow breathing, slow heartbeat; feeling light-headed, fainting; confusion, fear, unusual thoughts or behavior; seizure (convulsions); problems with urination; or nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools and jaundice." WRONG

"The abrupt cessation of Paracetamol can cause a range of unpleasant and dangerous symptoms, especially if an individual has been taking the medication for a long period of time. Cessation of Paracetamol will immediately lead to withdrawal syndrome, which closely mimics heroin withdrawal." WRONG

"Addiction to Paracetamol can be a life-threatening addiction, as well as the associated symptoms of withdrawal." WRONG

"Detoxification is required to cleanse the body of this drug and must be done under the care of a board-certified physician and a board-certified psychiatrist." ONLY IN OVERDOSE and to avoid liver failure, not for any other reason.

"Many quality treatment centers suggest comfortable detox using withdrawal medications specific to Paracetamol abuse. A quality center will do a full physical on a person to determine the right medications for comfortable detox. This method helps to correct the chemical imbalances and should be combined with psychological evaluations and other medical care." UNNECESSARY as Paracetamol is not addictive.



There is hardly a correct statement there as they are conflating two different preparations.

No weight can be given to evidence from that page at all. It is the worst reference I have ever seen!

[Rogerandout]

No one has claimed that Paracetamol causes drowsiness. We're debating the alternative meaning of the word 'sedative'. I'm not really sure why though.....

There was probably a point 11 pages ago, but if there was, I've forgotten it 

A Sedative is something that Sedates- in pharmacological and medical usage that means direct reduction of reaction to stressors. It is achieved by a level of suppressing consciousness slightly or moderately to allow intervention. Many drugs are sedatives;paracetamol is not.

Certainly removing pain also allows intervention, but this is a different matter to sedation!

Paracetamol is classed as and used as an Analgesic and an anti-pyretic (fever reducer), never a sedative.

An example might be to look at other irritants than pain that cause a reaction- irritating noises, or high room temperatures. No-one would call sound-proofing or air conditioning 'sedatives' ut, like Paracetamol, they do remove a stressor that hen makes sedation possible.

Paracetamol is not and never has been a sedative.

[Rogerandout]

Oh and long term use of pain killing drugs can lead to addiction. Jeez its common knowledge.

In the case of dependency inducing drugs that is the case. Certain drugs will create a physiological dependency. Paracetamol is not one of them!

People can become psychologically addicted to Paracetamol, but people may also become psychologically addicted to sugar, foods, and other non-medications.

Psychological and Physiological addictive processes are totally different.

[Mr Gray]

This is one of the worst references I have ever seen- full of errors and misunderstanding and with no professional standing. It is a US page. In the US the agreed name for what we call Paracetamol is  acetaminophen, they do not recognise the word Paracetamol.

This is the first paragraph:

"Paracetamol is a well-known and widely used medication to treat moderate to severe pain. It is also sold under the brand name Paracod and is a brand for the generic codeine. Paracetamol works by blocking the signals in the brain that create feelings of pain and is also used to treat severe cough as it can suppress the cough reflex in the central nervous system."

Let us see how wrong this is. First sentence fine, Paracetamol is used to treat pain! Second sentence ERROR Paracetamol is not spld under the Brand name Paracod. In the US that is Acetaminophen plaus codeine (codeine is an addictive opioid). The Wiki is conflating Paracetamol with Paracod- paracetamol does not suppress the cough reflex but codeine and paracetamol PLUS codeine do suppress it.

Now the second paragraph:

"Paracetamol is often prescribed when conditions call for morphine or codeine. As a painkiller, Paracetamol is known to be nearly as potent – but not quite – as morphine. When it is used to treat cough, Paracetamol is designed to deliver even stronger relief than what is possible with codeine."

First sentence total rubbish. Paracetamol is not any equivalent for the pain relief of opioids. Second sentence doubly so!

In the UK Paracetamol and Codeine is named Co-codamol and is used for pain more severe than the lowest level.

Given that I think that any reasonable person will see that the contents of that page are totally untrustworthy.

In the rest of the page I would point out the following errors:

"Paracetamol is an opiate and therefore is a Schedule II controlled substance." WRONG.

"It has a high abuse liability and while it is very similar to morphine, codeine and other opiates" WRONG

"Paracetamol triggers the brain’s pleasure centers while blocking pain. This process contributes to its ability to generate an addiction in users." WRONG

"A tolerance for Paracetamol can be quickly developed and users may require more and more of the medication to achieve the desired effect." WRONG

"Paracetamol delivers effects that are similar to that of morphine and codeine, in addition to sedation, respiratory depression and euphoria that are less intense than morphine." WRONG

"Other side effects created by Paracetamol include, shallow breathing, slow heartbeat; feeling light-headed, fainting; confusion, fear, unusual thoughts or behavior; seizure (convulsions); problems with urination; or nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools and jaundice." WRONG

"The abrupt cessation of Paracetamol can cause a range of unpleasant and dangerous symptoms, especially if an individual has been taking the medication for a long period of time. Cessation of Paracetamol will immediately lead to withdrawal syndrome, which closely mimics heroin withdrawal." WRONG

"Addiction to Paracetamol can be a life-threatening addiction, as well as the associated symptoms of withdrawal." WRONG

"Detoxification is required to cleanse the body of this drug and must be done under the care of a board-certified physician and a board-certified psychiatrist." ONLY IN OVERDOSE and to avoid liver failure, not for any other reason.

"Many quality treatment centers suggest comfortable detox using withdrawal medications specific to Paracetamol abuse. A quality center will do a full physical on a person to determine the right medications for comfortable detox. This method helps to correct the chemical imbalances and should be combined with psychological evaluations and other medical care." UNNECESSARY as Paracetamol is not addictive.



There is hardly a correct statement there as they are conflating two different preparations.

No weight can be given to evidence from that page at all. It is the worst reference I have ever seen!

  I know Ive already read it...I stopped when it described paracetamol as an opiate

[Mr Gray]

In the case of dependency inducing drugs that is the case. Certain drugs will create a physiological dependency. Paracetamol is not one of them!

People can become psychologically addicted to Paracetamol, but people may also become psychologically addicted to sugar, foods, and other non-medications.

Psychological and Physiological addictive processes are totally different.

 the posters on here are getting confused with the opiate painkillers that can cause dependency

[Rogerandout]

I also think people should be made aware of ingredients of things like Calpol as the E numbers are more likely to do harm to children then the drug to soothe their pain.

It is clinically proven that Paracetamol relieves pain, reduces pyrexia and lessens the symptoms of simple ills and pains.

It is not clinically proven that E numbers harm all children.